Super Resolved Structural Imaging of Mitochondrial Network using Orange Emissive Carbon Nanodot as Fluorescent Probe

Super-resolution microscopy (SRM), coupled with appropriate bright and photostable fluorescent probes, has revolutionized the ability to study organelle dynamics with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. An increasing trend of designing nanomaterial probes that has unprecedented advantages over the organic molecular probes has become the frontier in SRM based imaging of subcellular organelles. Herein, we report the development of orange-emissive fluorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) via a one-pot synthesis that has excellent capabilities to target mitochondria. Spectroscopic analysis confirms the presence of guanidine on the surface of CNDs, thus facilitating its ability to selectively target mitochondria. The CNDs were highly capable for the super resolution radial fluctuation (SRRF) imaging of mitochondrial network and the morphology. The synthesized CNDs exhibited excellent photoluminescent properties along with high biocompatibility and non-toxicity, which could be used for their application in mitochondria-based imaging modalities.